SNAP Food Benefits for Nutritious Items: Not Junk

SNAP food benefits are a blessing for the needy. I strongly support continuing SNAP.

However, I also agree with those who want to limit the benefit coverage to nutritious foods and drinks.

Far too much SNAP money is spent on carbonated soft drinks. These flavored, sweetened, carbonated sodas typically  offer few nutrients and lots of added sugars. They are not a healthy choice.

Similarly, a lot of SNAP money is expended on candy that typically has lots of added sugar, lots of calories, and few nutrients.

It's better if persons buy items like the bananas pictured below than processed junk foods and drinks.

Bananas purchased at a supermarket are even cheaper than much of the junk food and drinks people buy. At 60 cents per pound, a typical banana would cost less than 30 cents.

Suggested Food Stamp Restrictions

I support eliminating energy drinks, carbonated soft drinks, and other sweetened drinks with limited nutritional value from eligibility for buying with food stamps. I'll leave it up to the experts to decide on the specifics.

I also support eliminating most candies from eligibility for food stamps. I'd make an exception for dark chocolate with limited added sugar. And I'd urge food stamp recipients to consume that dark chocolate in moderation.

I'd also eliminate most store-bought cookies, cakes, and pies from food stamp eligibility.

United States Government Dietary Guidelines

I'm neither a dietician nor a medical professional, so I can't give dietary or medical advice. But the United States government's recently published Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 provides useful advice.

Among other things, those guidelines encourage the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein sources, dairy products, and whole grains.

The guidelines urge consumers to limit the intake of added sugars, highly processed foods, and saturated fats.

My Personal Perspective on the Guidelines

I basically agree with the federal government guidelines.

But I'm trying to adhere to a vegan diet. I use enriched, unsweetened soy milk in place of dairy products. I also eat lots of beans, nuts, and seeds, rather than consuming fish, poultry, or red meat.

And I confess I do indulge in buying and eating some things like potato chips and sweetened dark chocolate. But I aim at moderation.

I'm not on food stamps. But I'd support food stamps covering dark chocolate and potato chips. They are not as devoid of nutrients as carbonated soft drinks or candy that is almost all sugar.

Home Cooked Meals

We all have limited time.  Preparing nutritious, meals at home using whole wheat flour, whole grain corn meal, and dry beans soaked for several hours then cooked a couple of hours takes much time and effort. But it's worth it when time permits.

Cooking big batches of beans, vegetable soup, etc., then refrigerating (or freezing) leftovers to prepare later is a nice time saver.

Furthermore, though I support eliminating most store-bought cookies from food stamp eligibility, home-made cookies are different.

For example, home-made oatmeal-raisin cookies prepared with whole wheat flour and sweetened with applesauce can be a tasty, somewhat nutritious snack.

I sometimes sweeten my home-made cookies and home-made banana-walnut bread with 100% stevia which I order online. In my personal opinion 100% stevia is the best of the sugar substitutes. But I seek to limit my use of it too. I don't think it is nutritious. 

I'd allow 100% stevia to be purchased with food stamps. It may be better for our teeth and for diabetics than sugar, however, as noted earlier, I'm not a dietician or a medical professional and can't give dietary or medical advice. Also, note that most stevia products sold in supermarkets are not 100% stevia.

In general I think preparing beans, vegetables, and breads at home is better than buying them ready-to-eat. And I limit my bread baking to things like biscuits, corn bread, and other quick breads that don't require the time-consuming process of using yeast. But I commend those of you with the time and skill to successfully bake yeast breads from scratch.

U.S. Government Regulations on Food Stamp Junk Food Purchases

At the national level, purchase of junk food and drinks with food stamps is not limited.

However, federal officials have approved restrictions for 18 states that took effect earlier this year or will take effect later this year, according to a United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service webpage titled "SNAP Food Restriction Waivers that was last updated on January 2, 2026.

The specific limitations vary by state, as noted in the article linked to in the last paragraph.

I think it would be great if all states passed some type of similar restrictions, assuming the federal government doesn't make it mandatory for all states.

What do you think?

Disclosure: I work part-time as a store clerk in a retail store that sells candy and carbonated soft drinks, among many other things.

Is President Trump Abusing His Authority? Yes, In My Opinion

Yes, I firmly believe President Trump is abusing his authority. Please don't misunderstand me. I am not a Trump hater. I admire and respect him for his accomplishments as President--and there are many. I discuss some of them later in this article.

However, my emphasis in this blog post is on Trump's flagrant abuses of his power as President.

Greenland Is a Key Example

Trump's determination to acquire Greenland even if it takes military force is outrageous.

I concede that Greenland would be a nice addition to the United States. Greenland has much to offer.

But when and if Greenland ever becomes part of the U.S., it needs to happen only if the people of Greenland want it. If the people of Denmark also want Greenland to join the U.S., that's even better. Currently, neither Greenland nor Denmark seem to like the idea of Greenland joining the U.S. 

The U.S. cannot buy Greenland if it is not for sale. And the U.S. has no legal right to attack Greenland militarily to take it by force. Such an attack would violate international law, the United States Constitution, and common sense moral values.

An NBC News article and a Guardian article are two of the numerous ones online discussing Trump considering using military force to take Greenland. 

Any effort by Trump to take Greenland by force constitutes grounds for President Trump's impeachment by the U.S. House of Representatives, then Trump's conviction by the Senate and his removal from office.

A Few More Cases of Trump Abusing His Authority: What To Do

Trump's abuse of power in enacting tariffs, stopping Venezuelan oil tankers, and using his power to get even with enemies are a few other examples of his numerous abuses. The list is long.

Trump needs to be controlled by his staff, Congress, and the Court system. Since he seems to emphasize hiring and retaining staff that will do as he desires, Congress and the Courts seem left primarily to take action.

Congressional Action

Democrats have taken less action than one would expect. Furthermore, some (many?) of their actions can be considered to be politically motivated. They are the opposition party.

Most Republicans in Congress seem unwilling to challenge Trump. The few that do often incur his wrath.

I'm proud to write that my home state of Kentucky's two Republican U.S. Senators are among  those most willing to oppose Trump. Rand Paul has a well-deserved reputation for being a maverick Republican willing to vote his personal views. Kentucky's Mitch McConnell also has prominently opposed Trump multiple times.

I urge readers to contact their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives urging them to stand firm against Trump's excesses.

For Congress to pass laws against Trump's wishes requires a veto proof 2/3 majority in both chambers of Congress. Surely, we can get 2/3 of our Congressional members to pass legislation overturning some of Trump's ridiculous executive orders and reigning in his powers 

Furthermore, though the House can impeach Trump with just a majority vote, it requires a 2/3 majority in the Senate to convict him and remove him from office.

Still, I would hope that any effort by Trump to take Greenland involuntarily would constitute grounds for that removal.

Court Action

The Court system has taken action against Trump in some ways. But Trump seems to prevail surprisingly often in the United States Supreme Court.

Furthermore, a court typically only acts after a suit is filed. Then there is often a lengthy appeals process before a case gets to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Some of Trump's Accomplishments

I support many of Trump's actions during his two terms as President, though I sometimes disliked his method even in those cases.

Trump appointed pro-life Supreme Court justices that led to the overturning of Roe versus Wade. I'm pro-life.

During Trump's first term, the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products went up to age 21 from age 18. Many consider tobacco to be the #1 preventable cause of death. Raising the minimum age may help stop young people from adopting the tobacco habit.

Trump has sought to cut government spending and government waste, though the results are mixed.

He's tried to reduce healthcare costs by cutting abuses by large pharmaceutical companies and health insurance companies. I'd like it if he also stopped cutting taxes for the rich to help reduce the federal debt, but at least he's doing something.

Trump's sought to end wars and conflicts in many places. Additionally, so far his military initiatives have not mired large quantities of U.S. soldiers in wars on foreign soil.

Even the removal of Venezuela's Maduro was a quick action that apparently cost no U.S. lives.  Though most probably disapprove of Trump's actions against Maduro, Maduro was widely viewed as an illegitimate leader.

I remain hopeful Trump will help Venezuela transition to a legitimate government that is good for Venezuela and the whole situation. And it would be great for Congress and the President to approve making payments to innocent civilian Venezuelans who suffered losses in the capture of Maduro.

Below is a photo of Trump on the White House lawn that I obtained from the White House website.  The date of the photo is unknown.

Final Thoughts

Trump cannot be called a do-nothing President. He has accomplished much. But he has also done much harm.

We the people, the Congress, the Court system, and his staff share a responsibility to correct Trump's excesses and errors, holding him accountable when necessary.

Trump enjoys many nice visions, dreams, and plans. But he is not God. He is not perfect. He is not a dictator.

His executive power needs to be properly controlled. Under God, let's all seek to control Trump.

Is a Weekly Sabbath Day of Rest Good? Do We Need That Day?

Is a weekly day of rest good for us? Do we need that?

Yes. Various studies indicate that we humans function better if there is at least one day a week that we rest, do things differently than we do on the other days.

Furthermore, studies indicate it is better if we take the same day each week for that day of rest.

You can read about these studies online if you choose to.

The Bible Commandment to Keep the Sabbath

The original concept of virtually everyone  taking the same day each week for rest from work probably comes from Judaism. Taking a weekly day for rest is also one of the Ten Commandments many Christians seek to keep.

I remember reading the commandment in the Bible. Keeping the Sabbath is discussed in multiple places in the Bible, but Exodus 20:8-11 is the passage that seems to me to discuss it best. The Bible Gateway website is one of many places you can read those verses.

That Exodus passage instructs the Jews to rest on the last day of the week, the seventh day, just as God rested on the seventh day after six days of creation.

Since this article focuses on taking a weekly day of rest, I won't get into Creationism, how the Earth and life on it formed and how long it took.

However, it's reasonable to consider the Bible commandment as the root of the Sabbath Day of rest as we know it.

Below is a photo of a King James Version Bible my dad and mom gave me when I was a boy, probably in the late 1960s. It was my first  Bible. I've acquired several others of different versions since.

United States Blue Laws Regarding Sunday

Many places in the United States used to have what were called blue laws requiring most businesses to be closed on Sunday, the day of rest for most Christians who practice a weekly day of rest. When I started college here  in Lexington, Kentucky, the city had a blue law.

The Lexington law that kept most stores closed on Sundays has been done away with. Blue laws in other cities have largely been abolished over the years too.

Perhaps it's interesting to keep in mind that though the Sabbath Day of Judaism and the Old Testament of the Bible is Saturday, the seventh day of the week, the blue laws considered Sunday to be the day for rest from work.

Closing Thoughts

Regardless of your religious faith or lack of religious faith, it seems advisable to get at least one day of rest weekly. And it's preferable that it be the same day for persons every week.

Furthermore, when all or most persons enjoy the same day(s) off weekly, it facilitates fellowship and various activities together with one another.

Obviously hospitals, police forces, fire departments, and some other organizations must operate 24 hours a day every day.

But it might be nice if more of us did enjoy at least one day off in common with others each week, and it was the same day every week.

NOTE: This article was last revised on January 8, 2026.

Why Do People Use Earbuds So Much? What Do They Listen To?

During my childhood and early adult years in the 1970s and 1980s, transistor radios with wired earphones were popular.

I used one sometimes to listen to University of Kentucky sports events,  occasionally the news, and perhaps some music and other things.

But I don't think they were ever as common or popular as wireless earbuds are currently.

Now it seems that a large percentage, perhaps the majority in some cases, of persons I see  walking, jogging, and working are wearing wireless earbuds.

Many  earbuds even come with microphones.

What Do Folks Listen To?

Some individuals engage in lengthy phone conversations wearing earbuds. That's a key reason for microphones with them.

Others listen to music. Lots of people are big music lovers.

Some listen to sports events.

Others listen to podcasts.

Another use is to listen to material related to school or work. But I think that's a small percentage of usage.

Overall, there's much available to listen to. It’s amazing how much the Internet offers to listen to and to watch. 

Why Do Persons Use Earbuds So Much?

Some people feel the need for phone conversations with relatives, friends, coworkers, classmates, etc.  These conversations may be important. They also may not be, in many cases.

Others seem to dislike silence. They enjoy music as background noise to alleviate boredom doing routine tasks, to drown out other noises, or for some other reason. Perhaps they're big music lovers.

Others listen to podcasts that are educational, entertaining, or both.  In addition, many books are available in audio format.

Some persons may find earbuds a convenient way to listen to materials related to work and/or school.

Safety Issues With Listening to Earbuds

Hearing loss is one safety risk of using earbuds. A HealthPartners article [1] offers suggestions for using earphones safely to avoid harming your ears.

However, hearing loss is just one of the health risks of using earbuds and other types of earphones. Other harmful effects are potentially worse.

People are missing out on interpersonal conversations with companions or people they pass during their travels. They also miss the chance to enjoy quietly meditating, thinking about various things, and the joy of listening to the sounds of nature. In addition, they risk an accident by not being alert to dangers near them, such as traffic.

A 2022 Psychology Today article [2] states that listening to earbuds “is causing potentially irreparable damage to ourselves psychologically, emotionally, and socially.”

As for Myself   

I own a wireless Bluetooth earbud. I’ve had it for years. I’ve only worn it two or three times. My total time wearing it is probably less than one hour. It’s not my style.

Below is a photo I took of my Bluetooth earbud and its charging cable.

I also have multiple pairs of wired ear phones. I use them occasionally to listen to news or something else. But I don't use them often either.

Even when using my cellphone, I prefer reading news articles, etc., to listening to something.

Furthermore, I enjoy quietly meditating and thinking. The relative silence without earbuds or any other type of earphone or headphone allows me to plan, reflect, and when hiking or bicycling to experience the joys of the sounds of nature.

Furthermore, I consider it important to be alert to the sounds of traffic for safety purposes.

Closing Thoughts

I respect the right of persons to enjoy listening with earbuds, wired earphones, and/or headphones.

However, I think a lot of folks are missing out on a lot of opportunities to think, read, converse with others in person, and to enjoy the marvelous sounds of nature around them. Endangering their hearing is another problem, as is risking their safety by not being aware of nearby dangers.

I think the biggest risk is missing out on what I call the happiness or joy of "real" life by being attentive to sounds from an artificial ear piece instead. Please, let's seek to enjoy the real world around us.

DISCLOSURE: My second job is as a part-time retail store clerk. Some of the other employees, as well as some vendors to the store, use earbuds regularly.

NOTE:

This article was last revised on January 7, 2026.

ENDNOTES:

1 “How to Use Earbuds Without Damaging Your Ears”; HealthPartners; webpage accessed January 6, 2026; https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-to-use-earbuds-safely/

2 Taylor, Jim (reviewed by Michelle Quirk); “Listen Up: Why Earbuds Are a Threat to Ourselves and Society”; Psychology Today; August 30, 2022; webpage accessed January 6, 2026; https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-prime/202208/listen-why-earbuds-are-threat-ourselves-and-society/amp

Is Creating a Common International Language Feasible and Beneficial?

Creating an international language that enables almost everyone on Earth to communicate verbally and in writing with one another, without the need for a translator, seems like a marvelous idea.

But words in one language are often difficult to translate literally into another one. Translating all the words in all the languages on Earth into one may be virtually impossible.

Some Past Efforts at an International Language

At the time the United States was founded, French was arguably the closest thing to an international language. Invitations to events involving persons whose native tongues varied were often printed in French.

The common current practice of including the abbreviation RSVP (for a French phrase meaning "please respond" in English) on formal invitations in the United States likely goes back to that time when French played a leading role in international communication.

Currently English is arguably the closest thing to an international language. Many government and business functions are conducted in English in nations where various other languages are the countries' main languages.

Sign languages can also be considered a form of international communication among persons living in various nations who use the same sign language.

However, several different sign languages exist. An article on Avantpage 1 discusses various sign languages used in the United States.

Google Translate and cell phones with language translation capabilities are marvelous for helping persons with different languages communicate with one another. Such translation methods are not perfect, but they do pretty well.

Perhaps the best known constructed international language is Esperanto. It was created "in 1887 by Dr. L. L. Zamenhof" according to the Esperanto-USA website. 2 Various other sources cite the same year of creation and creator.

While many still hold high hopes for Esperanto, it has never attracted as many speakers as any of the numerous major world languages.

So far, efforts to create a common international language on Earth among humans seem to be unsuccessful.

My Efforts at Learning Other Languages

I only speak and write English. I respect persons who are fluent in multiple languages.

I took one year of Spanish in high school, but I know few Spanish words. I took one class in German for reading knowledge in college, and think I remember no German.

When I seek to understand words in another language, I turn to Google Translate on my cell phone or something else, such as a dictionary.

Below is a photo of some foreign language textbooks and dictionaries for translating between English and other languages that I own.

Could a Common Language Create Problems?

The Bible  (Genesis 11:1-9) tells of all persons on Earth sharing the same language and God altering their language to limit human potential. I don't claim to know if that account is literally true.

But what if modern-day people all used one language and united for some selfish, harmful purpose? The combined evil efforts of persons from different nations and cultures could indeed be horrendous, perhaps to places in the universe far beyond the Earth as well as to our planet.

Closing Thoughts

Maybe we ought to focus on creating universal morals and implementing them, rather than on creating an international language.

Attaining ethical behavior worldwide is preferable to attaining a common language worldwide. Could both be achieved together? I don't know.

As I see it, both are worthy goals. But both will remain out of reach in the near future, unless God intervenes on our behalf in some miraculous way. However, I do believe in God and in miracles.

NOTE:

This article was last revised on January 6, 2026.

ENDNOTES:

1 "Types of Sign Language Used in the United States"; Avantpage; 

2 "Esperanto-USA"; Esperanto-USA website; webpage accessed January 5, 2026; https://esperanto-usa.org/

Public Libraries Contain Much: Let's Use Them More

Public libraries in the United States contain a wide variety of resources, as I discuss in the next section, using my local library as an example. Furthermore, data on the American Library Association * website states that there are over 16,000 public library buildings in the United States, including both branches and main libraries.

My Local Public Library

My local Lexington, Kentucky, public library has multiple branches. The library holds books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, public computers with Internet access, photocopying machines, fax machines, meeting rooms, and more.

It even has a theater that occasionally shows free movies, hosts political debates, author talks, etc.

The main library includes one room used as a small art gallery. Its contents change periodically.

The library even hosts some music performances in its public areas, which I confess appeal less to me than to others.

The library offers laptop computers that can be checked out for use all day in the library.

My point is that Lexington's Public Library offers a lot of resources. Most of us could use more of those offerings more often. But we don't, often because we aren't aware of them.

Numerous activities for children and adults take place at the library each year.

The free Wi-Fi is a blessing. The availability of a scanner and a fax machine for public use come in handy for some too.

I probably use my local public library more than most people. But even I fail to come close to benefitting from all it offers.

Although the library contains several branches, I most often use the main location. It even includes a bookstore in its basement operated by the Friends of the Lexington Public Library. The bookstore contains thousands of used books in nice condition on various topics.

Below is a March 8, 2021, photo I took of one of the libraries I've used, the Northside Branch of the Lexington Public Library. The library is on the right in the background behind the colorful sign.

Other Public Libraries

Libraries in major cities like New York City and Chicago can offer even more things than the Lexington Public Library. I've enjoyed visiting the main libraries in both those cities, as well as some in other cities.

Below is a June 20, 2022, photo I took of the entrance to Chicago's main public library.

Even many relatively small public libraries are nice. For example, the public library in the southeastern Kentucky town of Jenkins where I graduated high school includes a nice selection of books, some magazines and newspapers, public computers with Internet access, a photocopier, a meeting room, and probably other things that I lack knowledge of.

Below is a September 4, 2011, photo I took of the Jenkins Public Library.

Also, interlibrary loans permit persons to obtain materials from other libraries that one's local library doesn't stock. Libraries also often subscribe to online databases that can provide resources not available at that particular facility.

If  you talk to your local library's staff, you may be amazed at what they can do for you. Please do try to not abuse their time and resources though.

Other Libraries

In addition to public libraries, college research libraries and other specialized libraries exist that can meet needs that public libraries are not designed for.

The massive Library of Congress in Washington, DC, contains an almost unimaginable wealth of materials.

I enjoy at least occasionally visiting the University of Kentucky main library here in Lexington to do reading and research. On a Washington, DC, visit I got to take a public tour of the Library of Congress. I saw an original copy of the Gutenberg Bible, among many other things.

Closing Thoughts

If you haven't recently visited your local public library, please consider doing so soon. If you already visit regularly, please consider using additional resources at the library and visiting more often.

ENDNOTE:

* "Library Statistics and Figures: Number of Libraries in the United States; last updated February 21, 2025, 2:26 p.m.; American Library Association; webpage accessed January 4, 2026; https://libguides.ala.org/c.php?g=751692&p=9132142

Removal of Venezuela's Maduro: Correct Decision But Incorrect Way?

Today, Saturday, January 3, 2026, the United States removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros from power, as reported by numerous news sources, including an article on The Hill. 1

Below is a photo of Maduro from a U.S. State Department August 7, 2025, online Wanted Poster.

More information about Maduro is on the U.S. Department of State webpage 2 with the Wanted Poster.

My View

As I see it, Maduro was an illegitimate ruler and removing him was appropriate. He apparently lost the 2018 election, and numerous countries refused to recognize him as Venezuela's president.

It would have been great if he'd voluntarily stepped down or been removed in some manner by a massive international force.

However, it is at best questionable whether United States President Donald John Trump had the authority to order unilateral U.S. action to remove Maduro.

Closing Thoughts

For better or worse, the United Nations lacks its own military force. Furthermore, any one of the five nations that are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council can veto a proposed action.

Since the UN lacks its own military, it's common practice, for better or worse, for nations with powerful militaries like the United States and Russia to take unilateral action.

Many in many countries called for Maduro's ouster. President Trump took action.

Whether in violation of the U.S. Constitution and international law or not, Trump ordered it, and it was done.

Let's hope the U.S. will now seek to help establish a quality legitimate government in Venezuela to run the country. Time will tell how it works out.

ENDNOTES:

1 Timotija, Filip; "Trump Says Maduro Captured, Flown Out As U.S. Military Conducts 'Large Scale' Strike"; The Hill; 5:12 a.m. ET, January 3, 2026; webpage accessed January 3, 2026; https://thehill.com/homenews/5670708-trump-captures-maduro-us-venezuela-strikes/

2 "Nicolas Maduro Moros"; U.S. Department of State; August 7, 2025; webpage accessed January 3, 2026; https://www.state.gov/nicolas-maduro-moros